Opponents of Corporate Farm Ban Exemption Raise $1.1 Million

A group that wants to block a law that relaxes North Dakota's Depression-era ban against corporate farming has raised more than $1.1 million.

The North Dakota Farmers Union is leading the campaign to overturn the Legislature's decision last year to exempt pork and dairy operations from the state's anti-corporate farming law. The group submitted enough valid signatures last year to put the measure on the June 14 ballot.

Campaign disclosure filings show the Farmers Union has funded almost all of the campaign to overturn the law. The group has more than 40,000 members.

Supporters of the so-called ham-and-cheese law say it will revitalize dairy and swine farms after years of decline.

Opponents say the law is an invitation for big, out-of-state corporations to set up operations in North Dakota.